I'm probaly considered dumb for asking but...

[Sarge31160]

I was just wondering how many people out there actually have one of the TM-203 under-mount grenade launchers. I'm very curious about them. NOW, I know what you're all thinking, what is wrong with this idiot kid? Doesn't he realize that its just a waste of money, air, and paint. Well its my dream so lay off! And anyway I'm just doing research to decide if I wanna get it.
So please do not reply to this message to advise me unless you actually have one, seen how they perform, or have a friend with one. Thank you.

[Kamotz]

I think there are about 3 people on this forum who have one (including myself).

They are extremely fun. However I would recommend against purchasing one. They are way too expensive for what they are, and the hassles I went throught in order to get mine were not worth it. Tippmann Ordnance has many problems that need to be ironed out. It took me almost 6 months to get mine when I was originally told 4-9 weeks. Since they are hand-made, they are expensive, and take a while to order. If you have $400 and a *lot* of patience, go ahead and get it. It's just plain fun to use.


Here's a little review on it.

It has an effective range of about 50-60 yards. It shoots either an 8oz balloon filled with watercolor paint, or a shotgun shell filled with 30 regular paintballs. It's not as much of a gas hog as you might think. You have to consider it's shooting much more mass than regular paint markers. It uses about 1/2 oz of co2 per shot. If you use the shotgun rounds, you can shoot between 700-800 balls on a 12oz tank.

Actually practicing with the thing can be expensive. If you only use the rounds made by T.O., you'll be paying about $3 for a single grenade, or $4 for a shotgun round. I made a few reusable practice rounds out of PVC pipe. However they are not safe to be shot at living things. :P For regular gaming purposes I use the single use cardboard shells.

I've modified my TM-203 so I can remove it from my gun easily enough that it can be done between games. Moving with that thing is extremely cumbersome. You certainly wouldn't want to use it in a speedball game. When I play with it, I usually have a couple guys that can give me cover fire when I move. The TM-203 is a monster. So, unless you're fairly comfortable messing around with the plumbing on your gun and want to make it removable, I'd suggest that you have another gun so you can play regularly in other games.

The TM-203 uses a Jackhammer II autococker regulator to fill the pressure chamber that actually fires the round. To fire the launcher, you quickly squeeze the lever on its right side, which opens the valve to the pressure chamber. When you fire the chamber is recharged much faster than you could ever get a new round loaded. It only takes about one second. You load the launcher in the same fashion as a real M203 is loaded.

I'll post some pictures later.

[Jmmsbnd007]

A Much cheaper solution would be to make a spud gun. Only about $30 for a low-level pneumatic.

[Sarge31160]

Thanks Kamotz, I really appreciate the review. I was planiing on ordering my TM-2 from paintballonline.com its a whole lot more cheaper than tippmann ordinece co.
I'd also like to see some of those pictures you have. Your jury-rigging of your gun sounds cool. And by the way, how well does this thing usually work on the battle field.

[utahballer]

hey kakomtz,
how much does the thing weigh I've always wondered that, also if you could or can would you put a picture of your gun with it attachted on the forum?

[The Mafia]

Pictures....Please!!!

[Kamotz]

Here's a picture of the launcher installed. THis picture was taken before I made it removable. Between where the regulator attaches to the gun, I added an on/off valve and a quick disconnect. The valve requires a pair of plyers to turn on or off, so it doesn't accidentally turn on when there's nothing attached.

Right now my launcher is not functional, because I messed around with the regulator and ended up breaking it. So, I've removed all of the plumbing from the gun it usually mounts on until I replace the regulator. In other words I can't take a picture of it right now. =)

[Platinum4Life]

Where do you buy one of these?

[Kamotz]

In this picture you can see all of the ammo types. On the left is the regular grenade round. I use a black balloon so the round is a little bit harder to see while in the air. The bottle next to it is what I store the paint mixture in before I assemble the round.

In the middle is the shotgun round. The extra piece of cardboard holds the balls inside the shell. I use these the most because it's a lot easier to hit a target with. I generally use it to clear out a bunker. I aim the launcher high in the air, and let the paintballs rain down on top of the bunker. :D

On the right is one of the practice round shells I've made. It's a pice of PVC pipe. Since the plastic is much harder, and has much more weight to them, they fly farther, and can actually be dangerous, so they aren't for use against people. I use brightly colored balloons filled with regular water for practice.

The three bottles in back are the water color paints I use in the grenade rounds.

You can see the paintjob on it is already coming off. It isn't anodized like most paintguns are. It's spray painted, so it comes off easily. It doesn't really matter to me anyway because I plan to paint it camo.

You can buy them from www.tippmannordnance.com

[KossaK]

Interesting to say the least.

Those cartridges dont look hard to make at all.... just get a cardboard box and cut strips... hot glue a disk along the bottom.... split the cartrige down the middle with a utility knife....

It looks like it would be more of a "window dressing" accessory though... it's so big i cant help but wonder about the overall utility of it... i cant imagine lugging that thing around for a whole day. Granted.. i'd probably get used to it...

Are you concerned about the weight of the launcher perhaps bending your barrel? i cant really tell what part carries the most wieght... the barrel or the forgrip attachment...

It certainly makes the m98c a whole different beast tho doesnt it!

[Kamotz]

Yes, it is very, very cumbersome. It's way too long, and way too heavy. It makes the center of gravity about two inches in front of the foregrip, so it's akward. That's why I made it removable. I don't use it all day. I only use it for scenario games. It's just an expensive toy in regular woods games. I wouldn't suggest it unless you play scenario games a lot.

You're right, the rounds aren't hard to make. The reason I made the plastic one, is the cardboard ones aren't reusable. I use the cardboard ones when actually playing. They cost too much to buy from T.O.

You'd be hard pressed to bend the barrel on your m98 in the first place. The launcher weighs 4lbs. The reason it makes the gun feel heavy is because the center of gravity is not between the handles.

[KossaK]

Interesting.

If i ever got heavily into scenario games, i might look into getting one. But they cost MORE than my current setup altogether!

I just had a brainstorm....
Can you use the GL separately from the gun? like can u connect it directly to an ASA with an air source and let 'er fly?
Could be an interesting setup... have a "heavy weapons" guy with JUST the GL, and an enforcer pistol or somethign as backup...
could be neat...

Anyway yeah... as interesting as it looks, the price and utility just doesnt justify buying one. Not right now anyway... maybe in a few years if i run out of things to do with my tippy... i've only JUST started putting money into it as it is...

[Kamotz]

Yeah, it's possible to use the launcher by itself like an M79. I was trying to replace the male screw end of the regulator with a male end of a quick disconnect--so I could attach it directly to my remote--that broke my regulator.

So, basically I broke it trying to do that, but it's definately possible. =)

[Avery]

I'd really like to see a sticky post about the GL.